Hospital Bill and Debt Collector

Date: Wed, 10/10/2007 - 13:22

Submitted by anonymous
on Wed, 10/10/2007 - 13:22

Posts: 202330 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 2

I have a hospital bill.I filled out a financial assistance application.I got a letter from the hospital saying the application was being returned to me because I didn't send all the required information they needed to process the claim.I would need to revise the application,and mail it back.I never got the application back.Despite my many attempts to resolve this problem the bill was sent to a debt collector.I'm in the process of sending a complaint letter to the Ceo of the hospital about this.My question is,does the debt collector have to tell me if I'm eligible for financial assistance in paying the bill and give you names of those places who may can help.I know some states have this law,but I don't know about Arkansas.I feel my case was poorly handled,and I'm sure I would have been eligible for financial assistance.My bill is almost 40,000 dollars and I'm uninsured.

wildwood, Welcome to the forum! Sorry you've had such a bad exp

wildwood, Welcome to the forum! Sorry you've had such a bad experience with this. Debt collection agencies aren't usually in the business of being overly helpful, and I don't know that they have to give you this info.

One thing I would suggest, to keep the collection efforts at bay while you're dealing with the hospital, is to send a debt validation letter to the collection agency. Send the letter via certified mail/return receipt requested so you have proof that they received the letter and signed for it. The collection agency is supposed to validate the debt within 30 days of receiving your request, and if they don't provide this, they are supposed to cease collection efforts.

Definitely keep up the complaints with the hospital about how this was handled and take it as far as you can. Hopefully, you will get the financial assistance and can move on. Also, monitor your credit report to make sure that the collection agency is not dinging it regarding this debt. If they don't validate the debt after you send them a request, yet hit your credit reports, you can dispute this with the credit bureaus to have the deragatory items removed.

lrhall41

Submitted by Tiffany99 on Wed, 10/10/2007 - 14:27

( Posts: 1058 | Credits: )

Tiffany is right, I don't think the collection agencies have to

Tiffany is right, I don't think the collection agencies have to give you info on where you can get financial help-at leaset that I know of.

I would go in erson, if possible, to see about your application paper,and file another one if necessary. Hospitals write off big debts every year, as well as doctors. Our best friend is a Doc, and he said it is done all the time- especially if they know you dont' have the funds to pay.

In Texas, and a few other states, they have to validate within thirty days, other wise they can stall forever on validating.

Good Luck-let us know what happens..KAren

lrhall41

Submitted by Bossy4455 on Wed, 10/10/2007 - 23:05

( Posts: 5854 | Credits: )